Cristiano Ronaldo Wins FIFA Best Player Award After Beating Messi Again

The 31-year old Ronaldo overcame Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann to the inaugural award after dominating all the individual accolades in 2016 – year he described as his best ever.Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has done it yet again beating arch rival Lionel Messi to the FIFA best player award. The former Manchester united player had a stellar year after winning the Champions league and Club World Cup with Real Madrid and The Euro 2016 in France with Portugal.

Ronaldo who had also won the Ballon d’Or in December is now officially the world’s best player. After six years the world football’s governing body ended its association with that honour which has been organised by France Football magazine since 1956.

Claudio Ranieri the manager for the surprise English Premier league champions Leicester City was named best men’s coach, ex-Germany boss Silvia Neid won the female coach award, while Penang’s Mohd Faiz Subri received the Puskas award for the best goal of 2016. Carli Lloyd of the United States was named the world’s best female player.

“It was my best year so far. The trophy for Portugal was amazing. I was so happy and of course I cannot forget the Champions League and the Club World Cup. We ended the year in the best way. I’m so glad to win a lot of trophies, collective and individual. I’m so, so proud.” Ronaldo said after receiving the award.

Voting for the player and coach categories was by national team captains and managers, selected journalists and, for the first time, an online poll of fans.